Undead at Sundown Read Free Page A

I need you to tell the old man that if things continue along this road, then he is going to bring all hell fire down on him and his people.’
          The interpreter shifted a little in the seat he had taken next to the old chief. ‘You should not come here and refer to Chief Eskadi as ‘old man’ or ‘tin dog’ He has defeated many of your white armies and people who have tried to take from us, he deserves respect. You will show him this respect.’
          Joel leant forward and put his face closer to that of the interpreter. ‘Just tell the old man what I fuckin' said.’ Joel said through gritted teeth.
         Zata straightened up, his face serious. Joel could almost smell the fury from him and hear the sound of his teeth grinding. He turned and told the chief what Joel had said.
         The chief let out a low moan and for the first time since the men had entered the tent he shown some kind of animation, his shoulders hunched and he regarded all three men in turn under heavy eyelids. He then spoke to Zata in a tone that indicated he was no longer feeling the effects of the peace pipe. Joel liked it, liked that he was getting under the old mans skin. Zata turned and repeated to the three men what the chief had said.
          ‘Chief Eskadi said that you should watch your tongue when you enter his home, that is if you want to keep it. He said you should leave here now, and do not expect anything to change because of your threats. The only thing your words have done is give further proof that you and your people are disrespectful fools.  He said you are in a land, the likes of which you do not understand the rules. He said to go back to your little camp of scared men and to watch your horses, as they may decide to ride off into the night and return to their true masters.’
          Joel sat still for a moment, the tent was in silence. He then looked to the chief and then back to Zata, and he began to laugh. His laughter grew and tears began to fill his eyes, spittle ran down his chin. It was infectious, but only infected the two men that stood behind him as they too began to laugh. The three Apache men in front of him sat in silence.
         Joel managed to calm himself a little before speaking.‘God damn, that old bastard doesn't mince his words huh. Well, you know what? I don't want this meetin' to end like this. Hell, you know somethin' else? I don't think the chief here understands how similar we are, you people and us. We are men of honour, we protect what’s ours, just like you protect what’s yours and believe me when I say we don't have any problem with you being that way. The only trouble we have, is that you are claimin' land that you have no legal right to and comin' down durin' the night taking stuff that isn't yours, stuff that belongs to us. If you can put an end to that, then we ain’t gonna have any kind of problems from here on in, hell I even bought the chief here the best horse money can buy. Now I'm sure that Eskadi, being a true warrior, a man of morals and a man who has so much respect from his people, doesn’t want to be seen as some petty thief now does he? I know in my world a petty thief gets their hands chopped off or, in some cases, a bullet to the head. Ask the chief to start actin' like the proud honourable man I heard he is and stop fuckin' around with us……please.’ The tent was silent,  Zata made no attempt to tell the chief what had been said.
          ‘Well, interpreter, hurry up and interpret! We ain’t got all god damn day.’
          Zata eyed Joel for a moment before speaking. ‘Chief Eskadi has already told you what he thinks. He will have no interest in listening to you any longer. I think you should go now.’
          Joel rubbed the stubble on his chin for a moment. ‘You know what, I didn't come here to talk to you or to ask your opinion so I don't want your opinion. Im trying to be nice, so unless you want to be the one responsible